Harris, A.C., & Jackson, J.M. (1977). Lactulose in vincristine-induced constipation. Medical Journal of Australia, 2, 573–574.

To measure the efficacy of lactulose as a treatment for vincristine-induced intractable constipation or for the prevention of vincristine-associated constipation in patients with cancer.

Patients received lactulose 20 ml BID to 25 ml TID.

• The study reported on a sample of eight patients with lymphoma or leukemia.
• Patients were aged 22 to 67 years.
• Six patients (five women and one man) had protracted problems with constipation.
• Two men received prophylactic treatment with lactulose immediately after vincristine therapy was initiated.

• Inpatient
• Royal Perth Hospital in Western Australia

This was a descriptive study.

Time-to-first bowel movement after vincristine treatment and initiation of lactulose therapy.

All patients obtained relief of constipation within two days of initiating lactulose.

• The sample size was small.
• Patients were not randomized.
• Side effects and duration of use were not reported.